Device for Adding and Additive to Tap Water

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for adding a liquid or gaseous additive to tap water, comprising at least one additive container for the additive, at least one feed channel leading from the additive container to a tap water conduit located downstream of a controllable tap and at least one controllable closing valve placed in the channel. For the purpose of adding the additive to the water use can be made of a pressurized container. This pressure can be generated by a propellant gas already present in the container. It is also possible to make use of a pump incorporated in the device which can be driven in diverse ways. It is however recommended for the additive container to be coupled to a pump for pumping additive present in the interior of the additive container to the feed channel.

The invention relates to a device for adding a liquid additive to tap water.

There has been found to be a need for means for adding additives to the water to be used by people in cleaning activities. This relates particularly, though not exclusively, to the use of the shower. This obviates the need to pick up soap or shower gel during showering. Adding nutritional oil or body milk can further eliminate the need to apply these products after showering. The option is also provided of creating a pleasant fragrance during showering.

In order to meet this need the invention provides such a device, comprising at least one additive container for the additive, at least one feed channel leading from the additive container to a tap water conduit located downstream of a controllable tap, means for applying pressure in the additive container which is higher than the operating pressure in the tap water conduit at the position of the outflow of the feed channel into the tap water conduit.

For the purpose of adding the additive to the water use can be made of a pressurized container. This pressure can be generated by a propellant gas already present in the container. The propellant gas is preferably separated here from the additive by a membrane, such as a bag. Use can also be made of individual gas cartridges such as are also used for culinary purposes. It is also possible to make use of a pump incorporated in the device which can be driven in diverse ways. It is however recommended for the additive container to be coupled to a pump for pumping additive present in the interior of the additive container to the feed channel. This is because an active control is hereby obtained so that the dosage no longer depends on varying quantities such as water pressure. The pump is preferably coupled to an electric motor. This measure also increases controllability.

A further embodiment provides the measure that the device is provided with measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the shower water and with a control element for controlling the pump in accordance with the flow rate of the shower water. It is hereby possible to shower or to wash with water comprising a continuous percentage of additive such as soap.

The control element can be adapted here to cause the pump to deliver the most continuous possible flow rate that is proportional to the flow rate of the shower water, although it is also possible for the control element to be adapted to cause the pump to deliver a discontinuous flow rate, wherein the frequency or the length of time for which additive is supplied is as proportional as possible to the flow rate of the shower water, so that the ratio of the two flow rates is constant over a longer period of time, for instance the duration of a shower. It is otherwise not precluded that the pump can be manually operated.

According to another preferred embodiment, the measuring means comprise a turbine driven by the water flow. A turbine is a simple mechanical device, which can be easily constructed in a small embodiment. This can be a turbine of the ‘Kaplan’, ‘Francis’ or ‘Pelton’ type. It seems likely that a turbine of the ‘Kaplan’ type is most suitable. The use of a water turbine also provides the option of using the turbine to generate sufficient electrical energy, particularly in order to power the pump.

The water turbine can further also be used to power the control element, which will usually take an electronic form. It is then attractive for the electrical connections of the turbine to be connected to a battery, wherein the battery is connected to the control element and to the pump.

In the above discussed embodiment a pump is used to pump the additive from the interior of the container to the feed conduit. Use can however also be made for this purpose of an overpressure prevailing in the container. A specific embodiment provides for this purpose the measure that the device is provided with means for applying a pressure in the container which is higher than the operating pressure in the tap water conduit at the position of the outflow of the feed channel into the tap water conduit. This higher pressure can be caused by a propellant gas present in the container. This propellant gas is preferably situated in a compartment of the container which is connected by a flexible membrane to the compartment in which the additive is situated. It is however also possible to make use of a pump to apply the overpressure in the container. In both cases the suction tube must extend to the lowest part of the compartment in which the additive is present.

In order to enable replacement of the container for the additive when it is empty, it is important that the additive container is connected releasably to the channel by a releasable coupling.

The coupling between the channel and the additive container is preferably adapted to form a connection between the interior of the additive container and the feed channel, this being necessary to displace the additive out of the additive container and into the feed conduit.

In order to ensure from a quality control viewpoint that only genuine additive containers are coupled to the device, it is recommended that the device is provided with a detector coupled to the control element for detecting the presence of a label placed on the additive container and for blocking the pump when the label does not satisfy predetermined requirements. This embodiment also provides an additive container which is provided with a label which can be read by the detector of the device.

Although labels of differing nature can be applied, such as optical, magnetic codes or codes formed by a relief, it is recommended that the detector is adapted to detect an electronic label. This is because electronic labels are not easy to copy, so that placing a copied label on a self-filled container is hereby prevented. This embodiment also provides an additive container provided with an electronic label.

In order to prevent refilling of an empty additive container it is attractive for the control device to be adapted to measure the additive removed from the additive container and to block the pump when a quantity of additive has been removed from the additive container which corresponds to the volume of the additive container. This embodiment also provides an additive container provided with a label with information representing the content of the additive container.

The device can further be provided with one or more venturis. Firstly, such a venturi can serve to create an underpressure at the position where the feed channel debouches into the water conduit. This low pressure then reduces the required power of the pump. Secondly, in combination with an air inlet the venturi can serve to admit air into the water flow through the water conduit; this enhances foaming. The same venturi can be applied for both functions, although it is also possible to apply a separate venturi for each of the functions.

Applying a venturi results in a drop in pressure which—depending on the locally prevailing conditions—manifests itself in a low water flow rate. In order to reduce this drawback a bypass passing at least one of the venturis is placed in the water conduit, which bypass can be activated and deactivated. A valve is preferably applied for this purpose, which can otherwise be controlled both manually and by means of an adjusting motor. The flow resistance of the tap water is greatly reduced when the bypass is activated. It is noted that the valve can occupy not only the fully closed position and the fully opened position, but also an intermediate position in which a part of the tap water flows via the venturi. The additive is after all added to this part of the water. In this configuration the water normally flows via the bypass, whereby the pressure loss does not occur; only when the bypass is at least partially closed will at least a part of the water flow via the venturi so that additive is taken up.

In a structurally attractive embodiment the bypass can be activated and deactivated by a valve which is adapted to adjust the ratio of the flow flowing through the bypass and the flow flowing through the conduit with the venturis.

A further developed embodiment provides a valve of the above stated type, wherein the valve is provided with a housing with a cylindrical cavity in which a feed conduit debouches in an end surface and the conduit with the venturis and the bypass debouch in a jacket surface, and a rotatably drivable, substantially cylinder jacket-like valve body is placed in the cavity, in contact with the jacket surface of the cavity, in which body are arranged openings which are covered to variable degree by the valve body depending on the rotation position of the valve body.

The openings are further placed in the valve body in order to maintain at the same value the sum of the cross-sectional area of the bypass and the cross-sectional area of the conduit with the venturi. A smooth transition is hereby obtained when the bypass is activated and deactivated.

In order to comply with local regulations, a non-return valve can be placed between the controllable tap and the outflow of the feed channel into the tap water channel.

The device can take a multiple form by being provided with more than one additive container. It is then possible for these additive containers to each be connected to the conduit downstream of the tap by a separate channel and for a separate closing valve to be placed in each of the conduits for the purpose of regulating the feed of each of the additives. The final part leading to the conduit can take a shared form, although it is also possible to make use of a multi-way tap to which a plurality of additive containers are connected.

According to an attractive preferred embodiment, the device is placed on a shower head. Installation is hereby simplified because only the shower head need be replaced, this being particularly the case with shower heads with a fixed position, such as rain showers.

The additive container is preferably filled with a soap, shower gel, nutritional oil, body milk, a fragrance, bath salt or oxygen.

It is noted that the specific modifications to existing containers, such as the ability to be locked to the coupling, are necessary to enable their use in the present invention. This can be implemented in the usually plastic cap of the container, but also in the additive container itself, which is usually manufactured from plastic, or in both. The container can thus be provided with edges to be engaged by guides of the device, and the head can be provided with an actuating member for the closing valve which is adapted for control by an element arranged for this purpose in the device. FIG. 2 shows such a container.

The present invention is elucidated hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the interior of a part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a valve for use in a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4B is a schematic perspective view of the valve body of the valve shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 1 shows components of a shower. FIG. 1 shows more particularly a shower tap 1 which is provided on either side of its housing with a handle 2 for regulating the amount of water or a handle 3 for adjusting the temperature of the water. The shower tap is connected in known manner to a feed conduit for cold water and a feed conduit for hot water, neither of which are visible. A conduit 4 to a shower head 5 extends upward from shower tap 1.

A dispensing device 6 according to the invention is arranged in conduit 4. This dispensing device 6 comprises a housing 7 which is preferably manufactured from a material usual for taps, such as chrome-plated brass or stainless steel, but which may also be manufactured from plastic. Arranged on the underside of a housing 7 is an additive container 8 filled with an additive which is fed to the shower water flowing through conduit 4. Housing 7 is also provided with two buttons 9, 10 which serve to activate and deactivate dispensing device 6. These buttons are preferably embodied as pressure-sensitive buttons or as buttons taking an otherwise water-resistant form.

FIG. 2 shows the components of dispensing device 6. Dispensing device 6 comprises conduit 4 in which debouches a dispensing conduit 11. Arranged in dispensing conduit 11 is a metering pump 12 which is connected drivably to an electric motor 13. Electric motor 13 is connected for power supply to a control circuit 14 which is connected to a battery 15. It is in principle possible to make use for this purpose of a replaceable battery, although it is recommended that battery 15 is formed by a rechargeable battery. A water turbine 16 coupled to a generator 17 is arranged in conduit 4. In this embodiment generator 17 is placed inside the conduit, which is thickened locally for this purpose. Other configurations, for instance of generators placed outside the conduit or turbines of different nature, are not precluded. The electrical connections of the generator are connected to rechargeable battery 15. The generator serves not only to supply electrical energy to the battery, but also to give an indication of the water flow rate through conduit 4 so that the dosage of the additive can be adjusted. The end of dispensing conduit 11 extends into additive container 8. A venturi 18 is also arranged in conduit 4 for the purpose of locally reducing the pressure inside the conduit in order to pump the additive to be added at a lower power from the pump to conduit 4. The presence of this venturi 18 results in an increase in the flow resistance. Arranged for the purpose of obviating or reducing this drawback is a bypass 19 through which a part of the water flow flows. The ratio of the part of the water flow through the venturi and through the bypass can be set by a valve 20 which can be operated by control circuit 14 by means of an electric motor. It is however also possible to give the valve a manually operated form or to give it a fixed setting during installation of dispensing device 6. FIG. 3 shows the cross-section of an additive container 8 and of the coupling between additive container 8 and dispensing device 6. Container 8 is formed essentially by a cylindrical can which is narrowed at its upper end to form a neck 20. Neck 20 is provided on two opposite sides with a pin 21.

Housing 7 of dispensing device 6 is provided on its underside with a substantially cylindrical body 22 provided with a central opening 23. Opening 23 is provided with a shoulder 24 against which a sealing ring 25 is arranged. The opening is further provided with a series of grooves 26 which co-act with pins 21 of container 8 to form a bayonet coupling. The free end of dispensing conduit 11 extends into the interior of container 8 to a position close to the bottom thereof. Other types of coupling can be applied instead of a bayonet coupling.

Container 8 is provided with an electronic label 30 which can be read by a detector 31 arranged on cylindrical body 22. Detector 31 is connected to control circuit 22, wherein the control circuit is adapted to allow operation of pump 12 only when the label meets determined requirements. These requirements relate for instance to the origin of the container, so that only containers with content satisfying quality requirements can be used. It is not precluded that the control circuit is adapted to track the content remaining in the container in order to prevent the container being refilled with inferior additive once the container has been emptied.

The operation of the device according to the invention will now be elucidated. Use is made here of a correctly installed device in accordance with the above description. A container 8 from which the lid has already been removed is initially connected to cylindrical body 22 by means of the bayonet coupling. The free end of dispensing conduit 11 extends here to a position close to the bottom of container 8. Venting line 27 also extends into the interior of container 8.

During use of the shower the user sets the desired flow rate and the desired temperature of the shower water in the usual manner by means of handles 2 and 3. He/she then presses button 9 on the dispensing device, whereby the dispensing device is activated, for instance for a limited period of time. Assuming that rechargeable battery 15 contains sufficient energy to power the control circuit and electric motor 13, pump 14 will pump the additive from container 8 to dispensing conduit 11 and add the additive to the water flow through conduit 4. The water flow then also sets turbine 16 into rotation. The additive is hereby well mixed with the water, and generator 17 is driven. Generator 17 charges battery 15. The generator provides here for dispensing of the additive in accordance with the flow rate of the shower water. Although it is in principle possible to allow the addition of additive to continue during the whole shower, it is recommended to add additive to the shower water for only a limited period of time, for instance 10, 20 or 30 seconds, after pressing a button. When there is a further need for the additive, the button can be pressed again. It is also possible for the addition of additive to begin when the button is pressed and to end when a second button is pressed or when the first button is pressed repeatedly. It is further possible to envisage administering only a limited quantity of additive in a single ‘shot’ in the case of expensive additives which are used for instance at the end of a shower. After showering, the tap is closed by means of handle 2, after which the whole process is stopped.

According to a specific embodiment, a bypass is applied so that the influence of the venturi on the flow resistance is as small as possible. In order to activate and deactivate the bypass use is then preferably made of a valve as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. This valve comprises a housing 30 in which a substantially cylindrical cavity 31 is arranged. Feed conduit 33 debouches in an end wall 32 of this cavity and bypass 35 and conduits 36 in which venturi 18 is placed debouch in jacket surface 34 of the cavity. Arranged in the cavity is a cylinder jacket-like body 37 which is connected to a shaft 39 by means of a disc 38 provided with holes. The cylinder jacket-like body is provided with holes 40 which are placed such that, when bypass 35 or conduit 36 is covered, the other is left clear; in other words; the overall free passage of the two conduits is constant. Such an effect can also be achieved when conduits 35 and 36 debouch offset relative to each other in cavity 31. Other valve configurations in which such an effect is realized can also be envisaged.

The use of this valve configuration makes it possible during use of the shower to allow the valve to rotate continuously so that the conduit with the venturi is periodically activated and deactivated. A ‘shot’ of additive must be provided at the moments when water flows through the conduit with the venturi. This requires synchronization, which can be provided by the control circuit. It is however required for this purpose that the valve be driven by an electric motor controlled by the control circuit.

It will be apparent that numerous changes can be made to the shown embodiment; an additional venturi can thus be arranged, in combination with a venting opening, upstream of the location at which the feed conduit debouches into the water conduit, whereby air is added to the shower water and more foam is created. 

1-30. (canceled)
 31. A device for adding a liquid or gaseous additive to tap water, comprising: at least one additive container for the additive; at least one feed channel leading from the additive container to a tap water conduit located downstream of a controllable tap; and at least one controllable closing valve placed in the channel, wherein the tap water conduit is provided with a venturi for causing a decrease in pressure at the position of the connection of the channel in the tap water conduit.
 32. The device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the tap water conduit is provided with a venturi for causing a decrease in pressure and that a venting valve is placed downstream of an outflow of the feed channel into the tap water conduit.
 33. The device as claimed in claim 31, wherein both venturis are formed by the same venturi.
 34. The device as claimed in claim 31, wherein a bypass passing at least one of the venturis is placed in the water conduit, which bypass can be activated and deactivated.
 35. The device as claimed in claim 34, wherein the bypass can be activated and deactivated by a valve which is adapted to adjust the ratio of the flow flowing through the bypass and the flow flowing through the conduit with the venturis.
 36. The device as claimed in claim 35, wherein the valve is provided with a housing with a cylindrical cavity in which a feed conduit debouches in an end surface and the conduit with the venturis and the bypass debouch in a jacket surface, and that a rotatably drivable, substantially cylinder jacket-like valve body is placed in the cavity, in contact with the jacket surface of the cavity, in which body are arranged openings which are covered to variable degree by the valve body depending on the rotation position of the valve body.
 37. The device as claimed in claim 36, wherein the openings are placed in the valve body in order to maintain at the same value the sum of the cross-sectional area of the bypass and the cross-sectional area of the conduit with the venturi.
 38. The device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the valve body is coupled to a motor for continuous driving in rotation.
 39. The device as claimed in claim 31, wherein a non-return valve is placed between the controllable tap and the outflow of the feed channel into the tap water channel.
 40. The device as claimed in claim 31, wherein a coupling between the channel and the additive container is adapted to form a connection between the interior of the additive container and the feed channel.
 41. The device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the device is provided with a detector coupled to the control element for detecting the presence of a label placed on the additive container, and for blocking the pump when the label does not satisfy predetermined requirements.
 42. The device as claimed in claim 41, wherein the detector is adapted to detect an electronic label.
 43. The device as claimed in claim 41, wherein the control device is adapted to measure the additive removed from the additive container and to block the pump when a quantity of additive has been removed from the additive container which corresponds to the volume of the additive container.
 44. An additive container, adapted for coupling to a device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the additive container is filled with a soap, shower gel, nutritional oil, body milk, a fragrance, bath salt or oxygen.
 45. The additive container as claimed in claim 44, wherein the additive container is provided with a label which can be read by the detector of the device. 